Decontaminating household textiles exposed to ringworm

This study evaluated and reported on the decontamination of surfaces exposed to naturally shed infective cat hair or spores of Microsporum canis (ringworm). The most important finding was that it is not difficult nor impossible to decontaminate surfaces and homes. The key findings were:

3. Laundry can be decontaminated with two washings. It is important to wash exposed laundry until it is free of visible cat hair. Laundry can be successfully decontaminated using cold water without the addition of bleach. What is most important is to use the longest wash cycle available and to not over stuff the laundry tub. Agitation is important in removing cat hair.

4. Carpets can be decontaminated via washing with a beater brush carpet scrubber two times using routine detergent. Carpets can be decontaminated using hot water extraction (“i.e” steam cleaning). If chemical decontamination is needed carpets can be pretreated with an antifungal shampoo (miconazole/chlorhexidine or ketoconazole) for 10 minutes and then washed as normal. Alternatively, an accelerated hydrogen peroxide carpet cleaner can be used.

5. Routine cleaning (mechanical removal of cat hair, washing with a detergent until a surface is clean, and sparing use of a disinfectant) can decontaminate homes during and after an infected cat has been present.

Moriello KA: Kennel Disinfectants for Microsporum canis and Trichophyton sp. - Veterinary Medicine International 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/853937 (Open Access) This work was funded in part by the Winn Foundation.

Moriello KA: Feline Dermatophytosis - Aspects pertinent to disease management in single and multiple cat households - Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2014 15:419-431 (Note: This article is open access via a gift grant from Maddie’s Fund). This article contains information based upon the original funded study.

Newbury S, Moriello KA: Feline dermatophytosis: Steps for investigation of a suspected shelter outbreak. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2014: 16:407-418 (Note: This article is open access via a gift grant from Maddie’s Fund. This work was partially funded from Winn Foundation grant monies.)

In Preparation or Submitted: World Association of Veterinary Dermatology Consensus Statement on the Treatment of Small Animal Dermatophytosis (submitted June 2016) Grant Number: W-12-034 Principal Investigator: Moriello Date: March 10, 2015

Moriello KA: Decontamination of homes and shelters exposed to dermatophyte spores), to be submitted August 2016